Udupi: Abhilasha Shetty - Talented Weightlifter Awaits Encouragement to Blossom

Suvarna Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Nov 10: Abhilasha Shetty, a native of Bannadi near Kota, has grown into a national level weightlifter over the years. She has come up the ladder of achievement the hard way. Her achievements, registered in spite of the fact the encouragement and support she has received so far have been minimal, speaks volumes about her passion, resoluteness and hard work.

Abhilasha secured first place in the 53 kg category at the district level weightlifting championship held at Mahatma Gandhi Stadium, Udupi in 2007-08 under the aegis of youth services and sports department. She thereafter, was placed third in the state level rural sports meet held for the under-16 category at Belgaum in the 53 kg category. In 2009, she won the district level weightlifting competition held here in 58 kg category. She followed it up by winning the runner up spot at the state level weightlifting tournament organized at Kanteerava Stadium Bangalore in 58 kg category.

Later, she secured second runner up position in the state level weightlifting championship held at Mangala Stadium Mangalore in 58 kg category. Later, in the national level competition held in Punjab, she was placed sixth.

Abhilasha completed her primary education in Vaddarse village, and pursued secondary and PU education in Viveka PU College Kota. She started evincing interest in sports activities since she was in the eighth standard, and began contesting in the weightlifting events since she entered tenth standard. At present, she is in the second year of engineering degree course (computer science) at Moodlakatte, Kundapur.

Abhilasha continues to nurse an ambition to excel in weightlifting, and is determined to do much more, subject to getting encouragement. In spite of her busy study schedule at engineering college, she has been actively participating in all the college activities. Abhilasha wants to pursue her passion for sports even after completing education and bagging a job. She wants to bring glory to her parents and native place by excelling at national and international levels.

She also has done well in extra curricular activities, particular in plays, cultural and painting contests. She had bagged second place in the contest, ‘Namma Sasya Sampattu’ organized by Putani Vijnana Balaga. She had bagged prize in the value-based essay competition organized by Shantivana Trust Ujire.

Abhilasha belongs to a poor farming family. Her parents, Ganesh Shetty and Pushpalata Shetty Salikeri, have  not been able to provide financial support for her interests. In spite of this, Abhilasha has done them proud by taking interest in her activities and excelling in them on her own. If she gets a good guide, mentor, and help of donors. Abhilasha is sure to scale further heights in future. Those who are willing to extend support to this blossoming sports enthusiast may contact Abhilasha’s mother, Pushpalata Shetty, on her phone 9481768002.